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Here you will find publications on legal activities as part of the Clean Air Project, as well as lectures and results of our regularly scheduled workshops. In addition, we provide links and publications of other institutions dealing with this topic. Our press releases are available in the Press section.

The Clean Air Handbook

Clean air is essential to good health and a basic human need. EU law has recognised this need and given legal protection to it through directives and court judgements. This practical guide to EU air quality law is designed to help non-lawyers exercise their right for clean air. References to specific cases and legislative provisions are included, so its also useful to lawyers and experts.

Form letter for reducing the air pollution

Affected citizens or environmental organisations and citizens' initiatives have the right to require the implementation of effective measures in polluted areas. We developed a helpful form letter (only available in German) you can use as a basis for your own letter to the competent authority.

Background paper “Clean Air litigation”

In the past DUH has repeatedly sued the implementation of air quality measures. Nevertheless the air pollution with NO2 and fine particles in cities are one of the central challenges. In November 2015 DUH supported by British NGO ClientEarth has therefore filed lawsuits against several German Federal States who need to do more in the area of air quality planning. The affected cities are Cologne, Bonn, Aachen, Düsseldorf, Essen, Gelsenkirchen, Frankfurt/ Main and Stuttgart. DUH also applied for compulsory enforcement measures to be taken in Munich, Darmstadt, Wiesbaden und Reutlingen. You will find more information in German about the legal background, the air pollution and possible measures with this Background paper.

Survey "What are the barriers to enforcing the right to clean air in the EU?"

The Ambient Air Quality Directive sets legally binding limits on levels of ambient air pollution. Failure to comply with the Directive is widespread throughout the EU: limits are frequently breached in many towns and cities, yet air quality plans are often late, inadequate, not properly implemented, or entirely non-existent. Despite the robust legal framework and the decision of the European Court of Justice in 2008, there have still been relatively few cases brought before courts in member states in relation to air quality. The purpose of this survey is to better understand the barriers that exist which deter NGOs from bringing clean air cases. It will also identify those areas where litigation gas the highest prospects of success. If you are a representative of an European NGO, please fill out the survey and send it to us. We will evaluate the answers and share the results with the Commission.

As a result from the expert dialog titled “What is the real impact of soot on climate change, and what are the political and administrative frameworks?" held on 14th of January 2014 this factsheet (only available in german) summarizes latest scientific knowledge about soot and the existing legislative framework.

Brochure “Clean Air- Made in Germany”

This publication, developed by the German Partnership for Sustainability Mobility (GPSM), informs about stakeholders, legal initiatives and measures which contribute to the high level of air quality in Germany.

Layman's Report

For a better implementation of EU Air Quality legislation and finally meet limit vaules in all EU Member States, nine European environmental NGOs joined forces at the “Clean Air” project in 2012. Public authorities, politicians, industry, the public, NGOs and scientists are brought together and enabled to implement effective measures improving air quality, through knowledge sharing, good practice transfer as well as joint solution development. Therefore, the project partners put into practice subprojects. The total of those subprojects should raise the awareness on the problematic nature of bad air quality among decision-makers and present them corresponding methods of resolution. The actions and results are compiled with the Layman's Report.